After 43 Years in Prison, Subramanyam Vedam Faces New Deportation Battle

Fri Dec 05 2025 09:13:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Subramanyam Vedam, who spent over four decades wrongly incarcerated for murder, is now caught in a new legal struggle for his immigration status as he faces deportation.

Subramanyam Vedam was freed after new evidence overturned his wrongful murder conviction, but soon after, he was taken into federal custody under a 1999 deportation order. Despite his long battle for justice, Vedam, who has lived in the U.S. since he was a baby, now confronts another daunting legal challenge as he navigates the complexities of immigration law. His lawyers argue that his 43 years in prison should outweigh earlier infractions as they strive to keep him in the country where he has spent most of his life.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Subramanyam Vedam, after spending over four decades in prison, was finally set to walk free this month. Yet, just as his sister prepared to bring him home, he was taken into federal custody under a 1999 deportation order, thrusting him into a new legal battle.

Vedam was convicted for the 1980 murder of his friend Thomas Kinser, a case that always lacked solid evidence against him. A judge recently threw out the conviction after new ballistics evidence emerged, demonstrating that the prosecution had withheld crucial information. Despite this, Vedam now faces another daunting challenge with his immigration status.

Having immigrated to the U.S. from India as an infant, Vedam, now 64, legally resided in the country. His lawyers must now argue in immigration court that his wrongful imprisonment outweighs a previous drug charge from his youth. “These 43 years aren’t a blank slate,” remarked immigration lawyer Ava Benach, expressing concern for Vedam’s plight amid increasing deportation measures under current federal policies.

Vedam’s family and supporters remain hopeful that the legal system will recognize his extraordinary circumstances. “He’s suffered a profound injustice,” Benach stated, advocating for compassion and understanding in his case. As immigration judges deliberate, Vedam languishes in an ICE facility, waiting for a resolution.

His sister, Saraswathi Vedam, recounts their family narrative in the U.S., emphasizing their integral role in their community, while expressing her sadness over the latest developments. Despite uncertainty, she maintains faith in justice, echoing the sentiment that truth, compassion, and kindness will ultimately prevail.